Category Archives: best friends animal sanctuary

l. if you know ANYTHING about dogs and specifically about the history of American Pit Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers, and the other dog BREEDS lumped together and called “pit bulls,” you know that these dogs were bred to be SUPER/EXTRA people friendly so that the handlers would be able to work with them. ALL people aggression was bred OUT of these dogs. So the first paragraph in this article begins with a lie AKA a MYTH not a FACT. Apparently, the writer of this article had NO TIME to do any REAL Research nor to interview REAL DOG experts such as James Crosby and Victoria Stilwell.

Pit Bulls are not an aggressive breed of dog.

*According to the American Temperament Testing Association, APBTs have an 85.3% passing rate, compared to a passing rate of 81.9% for all breeds on average.

2. Then this article goes on to quote DISCREDITED time and time and time again pit bull haters and fantasy dwellers such as Colleen Lynn, Merritt Clifton and PETA. Yes, scratch the surface of these three together and you get nonsensical stats based upon media overreporting of so-called pit bull attacks (if it looks like a dog, call it a pit bull and there you have a headline and ridiculous stats to use to ban pit bulls), fear/paranoia and a call to KILL all the dogs (disguised as more logical sounding breed discrimination aka breed specific euthanization)… of course, they leave OUT that in places like Denver, CO where BSL has been implemented, dog bites have GONE UP because the REAL PROBLEM has NOT been dealt with. Breed is NEVER the problem. Ignorance about Dogs IS the problem.

Oh by the way, PETA kills healthy adoptable dogs and cats and has for years. And their founder, Ingrid Newkirk, was killing animals at a shelter, a job she relished. PETA thinks killing companion animals is a gift to them.

3. oh yes, and speaking about the Michael Vick dogs. 51 dogs who are doing JUST FINE. Eight became therapy dogs, and many are living in homes with children, cats, other dogs, in FAMILIES and shown NO signs of aggression. Not ONE. These dogs were tortured, traumatized, terrified of humans, unsocialized, kept chained up 24/7 and made to fight tor their LIVES. Yet, once taken away from Vick’s Bad Newz Kennels and given tons of TLC and taught how to be dogs at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, BADRAP, the Monterey SPCA and other places, they’ve thrived.

Instead of blaming the dogs, how about holding PEOPLE accountable. People are the ones responsible for the abuse, torture, neglect and abandonment of dogs. Humans are the violent ones. Toxic macho masculinity culture teaches young men that they must be TOUGH and FIGHT, MAIM and KILL animals and other creatures. All of the serial killers have a history of hurting and killing animals then move on to human beings.

A few stats:

Every year, more than 2,000 children in the U.S. are killed by their parents or guardians either through abuse or neglect. A child is more than 800 times more likely to be killed by their caretaker than by a Pit Bull.

From 2001 through 2012, 6,410 women were murdered in the United States by an intimate partner using a gun—more than the total number of U.S. troops killed in action during the entirety of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars combined.

Please share, lend your voice and tell Santa Ana supervisors in Orange County, California not to destroy ANY dog fighting dogs. They are having a meeting in a few days, January 28, and want to just kill all the dogs that have been seized from dog fighting rings. Write them off as dangerous, vicious and be done with the dogs. THIS IS NOT OK.

All of the former Michael Vick dogs are living role models and testimony to the idea that ALL of these dogs deserve a Second Chance at LIFE. It is not the dogs fault that they have been forced to fight other dogs. Penalize the dog fighters not the dogs.

Eight of the former MV dogs are therapy dogs. Many are living in happy, loving homes with kids, other dogs and cats, too thanks to BadRap, Best Friends, Monterey SPCA and all the others that saved their lives and gave them a second chance.
Dog fighting is a CRIME. Punish the dog fighters not their victims…

Dear Friends of Jonny Justice, Audie, Hector, Handsome Dan & Company. Remember when you helped us send hundreds of copies of ‘The Lost Dogs’ to the Obamas in 2011 to help educate our President about the plight of pit bulls? You can bet you helped seed the anti-BSL statement that came out of the White House during Obama’s second term, and we LOVE you for that. Creative, positive, political action WORKS.

Now we need you again. Do you have eight dollars to spare? The Orange County (CA) Board of Supervisors would like to destroy dogs that come from cruelty (dog fighting) cases in their county. We don’t know why. It could be that they aren’t aware that all dogs are individuals and survivors of terrible backgrounds defy the odds every single day. Please consider sending one or more of the board members a softcover copy of ‘Saving Audie’ – as a way to demonstrate what may be lost if they move forward with their no-mercy policy. If you order from Amazon today or tomorrow, they will get rec’v it in time for their meeting & vote on Jan 28. If you live in Orange County – please speak up. The dogs need you now! Thank you!

I am forever grateful to the one who brought Dan to me. I love you old girl. You have endured so much, more than I can imagine. Through rape stands, the fighting pit and having your teeth barbarically removed, you never tried to harm the humans who tortured you. You have made more of an impact than any other dog and saved thousands of victims with your strength and stoic beauty. You are a hero, a martyr, a mother and best friend. I am humbled in your presence.

Please know that I will always take care of your son, that he means the world to me. There is an entire team of people working to bring other victims to safety in his name. Your legacy will live on through every victim of dog fighting who finds their happy ending.

GG, your body is hurting and it is time to leave this world. You will never understand the impact you have made. If I could trade some of the pain your body is feeling right now I would in a heartbeat. Please go softly, wrapped in love and warmth. You are home, you are loved, you are my hero.

Little’s First Christmas
I don’t get the lights and I don’t get the tree.
I look at the mess and it’s frightening to me.
I wonder what happened to my very safe place.
Now it feels like a nightmare from which I must race.
But my Mom gives me treats and makes it alright.
I forget about all of the those bright scary lights.
I’m curled in my bed with my blanket and toys and my Mom sits beside me and pets my soft head.
The tree seems OK and I guess I love lights.
‘Cause my Mom keeps me safe through the long winter nights.
I’m just a small pit bull who had a bad start
but now I have love in a home with a heart.
So Merry Christmas to those who have helped me survive.
My greatest joy is my home and in being alive.

An anthropologist proposed a game to the kids in an African tribe. He put a basket full of fruit near a tree and told the kids that who ever got there first won the sweet fruits. When he told them to run they all took each other’s hands and ran together, then sat together enjoying their treats. When he asked them why they had run like that as one could have had all the fruits for himself they said: “UBUNTU, how can one of us be happy if all the other ones are sad?”

‘UBUNTU’ in the Xhosa culture means: “I am because we are”

***

The Vicktory dogs family, Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, Badrap, Our Pack exemplify this kind of attitude towards the dogs and people… imagine the world we live in today especially in America being this way… a dream… a hope… a wish…this is how life is… when we ALL thrive…life is at it should be…

Sweet Lucas was one of the dogs who was court ordered to stay at Best Friends for life and so he did not experience having a family home of his own… but from all reports, he was MUCH LOVED by all the caregivers he had…visitors to Best Friends, all who met and knew him… all the people who’s lives he touched…

From Best Friends:

We’re deeply saddened to announce that our dear Lucas crossed over the Rainbow Bridge earlier this evening, ending his suffering from a host of health complications. We knew those of you who love him most would want to know. Please keep Lucas and those closest to him in your thoughts. We’ll have more details to share later.

Lucas wore the Michael Vick dog fighting scars of his past on his face, but his heart and soul exuded nothing but happiness, excitement, love, and forgiveness up to the end. -jessie

In Memory of Lucas

“Garcia doesn’t seem to mind the interruption, and we’re ushered through the door. The first dog we see is a large, dirty blond Pit Bull with a huge head and knowing, resigned eyes. His face, torso, and legs bear the unmistakable scars of fierce battle. Clearly, this dog hasn’t been in just a scrape or two, he’s had to fight for his life. Yet, as we step closer, his whole body wiggles and wags.

Lucas nuzzles his head into the crook of my elbow. He darts over to greet my husband, all kisses and play bows. It’s hard to imagine a dog being any friendlier, and we fall all over him in return. He’s irresistible.”

“To Judah Battista, Lucas is Exhibit A in the argument that all dogs are good dogs if they’re treated well.”

“Of all the pit bulls in Michael Vick’s Bad Newz Kennels, Lucas was the baddest of them all — Mike Tyson, Hulk Hogan and a little Ray Lewis rolled into one, the grand champion, the most vicious of the vicious Vick dogs.

“When his dog-fighting operation was busted, Vick was sent to prison and so, in a sense, was Lucas. The court shipped him and 21 of his fighting mates from Virginia to this sprawling, 3,800-acre animal sanctuary outside Kanab, with the stipulation that Lucas spend the rest of his days here. It was your basic life sentence.

“That was in January 2008.

“Nearly four years later, or 28 by his reckoning, Lucas is running the place.

“Open the door to the executive offices, and there he is, a smile on his face, a lick on his lips, and eager anticipation of either a pet or a treat written all over his eyes.

“Only the fading scars on his neck and face suggest that he was once the toughest, scariest and most-abused dog in Virginia.

“…we knew that meanness wasn’t the summary of their nature,” he continues. “Using stereotypes doesn’t help anyone. They can all be rehabilitated. It just takes time and affection and attention.

“What we needed to prove was that man could be dog’s best friend as much as dogs could be man’s best friend.”

“When some visitors come
into the office and sit down,
he welcomes them by
jumping onto their laps and
lavishing kisses on them,”
Brenda says. “That tells
me that he’s not the menacing,
dangerous dog that far too
many people feel his breed
might be. He only wants to
be loved. We all are better
people for having had the
experience of having him in our lives.”

“For Dr. Patti, his easy nature is also what has
touched her: “The thing that stands out most
to me about Lucas is his overflowing love of
people. He is so kind and gentle despite what
humans in the past have put him through. It
really teaches a lesson in forgiveness and
understanding that we humans should strive to equal.”

“Michelle agrees: “We can learn a lot from him.
He has been a very happy dog despite his
background and despite all of the ups and
downs he has had medically.”

“…The gentle side of Lucas, despite his past, continues
to inspire those who know and love him. “His joy
for life and a can-do attitude are something we
can all strive for,” says John. “Lucas really
does symbolize the American dog Despite a
very difficult past, he is affectionate and forgiving.
We are all pulling for him to get better.”

If this doesn’t make you cry with joy, I don’t know what will… bring tissues with you…

Six of the 22 dogs taken in by Best Friends Animal Society … Mel, Cherry Garcia, Little Red, Handsome Dan, Oscar, and Halle had a ball at their 2013 five year reunion. About 150 to 200 people came to the event’s meet and greet to celebrate with the families and dogs. All the dogs were very well behaved and enjoyed being with one another.

Years ago at Bad Newz Kennels, Michael Vick and his cohorts terrorized, traumatized and abused these dogs, made them fight or used them as bait and left them unsocialized and afraid on chains. Their loving caretakers at Best Friends and adopted families have helped them recover and heal with lots of TLC and the difference between how the criminals and humans treated them shows and speaks volumes. The dogs were NEVER the problem. The dogs were NEVER mean nor vicious nor aggressive. The dogs were NEVER violent.

Group shot from left to right: : Mel, Halle, Cherry, Handsome Dan and Little
Red (Oscar is in the back!). Photo by Molly Wald

“47 dogs, according to the federal grand master’s count, were taken in the 2007 raid, from which the 22 toughest cases were brought to the Best Friends sanctuary. Best Friends proposed that the dogs could be rehabilitated or, at the least, deserved care and feeding for life… this was the first time the courts ever allowed dogs confiscated from a fight ring to not only be individually evaluated and rehabilitated, but also to be eligible for adoption. Until then, the protocol for fighting dogs seized was destruction, it was considered that you couldn’t take the fight out of the dog once it was bred or instilled.”

“Five years ago … these same six dogs were brought together in a very different circumstance,” Hunter said, “they were brought together by criminals who had very bad intentions for them – the same dogs, but a different set of people. Today … these same exact six dogs are brought here together by six loving families who want the best for them, and the circumstances are very very different. The dogs are exactly the same and as you look around you can see the results.”

During the presentation at the meet and greet, the adopters shared about how magical their experiences with the dogs has been helping the dogs heal on a day to day basis… how the dogs have learned how to live life as part of a loving family.

At the same time, their former owner was going to do book signings at Barnes and Noble but they were canceled due to protests by animal lovers.

Love, light and hope prevail.

“Their photos could be from any pet-loving family’s album. They show dogs doing what dogs do: helping toddlers learn to stand, flopping out on the couch next to the cat, enjoying time with the family in front of a Christmas tree, running on the beach, stretching out in the grass on a sunny day, and sleeping in their person’s bed under the covers. To look at their lives now, it’s unimaginable that five years ago these dogs were the topic of national news and debate. Many thought they were dangerous fighting pit bulls that should be put to death for everyone’s safety. Others looked at them and saw hope. Luckily for the dogs and the many lives they have touched, hope won.”

The long awaited date and time of the Victory Dogs reunion meet and greet at Best Friends Animal Society is here, ta da…spring break may be just the best time to visit since the weather is not too hot yet…

Monday March 11 at 1:15 pm at Best Friends Animal Society in Kanab, Utah…

Meet Handsome Dan, Cherry Garcia, Little Red, Halle, Oscar, and Mel up close and personal with their families…

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Welcome! I'm CeliaSue, a creative California-based freelance writer who wants to help you travel with your pets and enjoy the ride. I provide reliable travel info for California, and the Southwest USA (occasionally the rest of the country), plus lifestyle inspiration about being a doggie mama on the road with a spoiled yet friendly polka dot princess named Cici. I also write about romance, eco friendly, spiritual, healthy and luxury travel for various publications.

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